BBC Update. December 1, BBC Update Vol. 2 Num. 23

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1 BBC Update The Second Annual Fall BBTS Lecture Series Dr. Thomas Strouse The Lord blessed with a wonderful day for the Second Annual Bible Baptist Theological Seminary Fall Lecture Series on Nov. 17, 2011 at the Marriot Courtyard conference room in Cromwell, CT. Over one hundred believers from at least ten different independent Baptist Churches (CT, MA, NH, NY, and PA) were in attendance. The preachers (Dr. David Smith, Dr. Thomas Strouse Dr. Thomas Strouse, Mr. Jeff Skorupski, and Pastor Cas Reeves) brought forth well-prepared, challenging, timely, and convicting messages from Scripture while dealing with the topics of the Second Coming of Christ, Heretical Views about the Second Coming, the Judgment Seat of Christ, and our heavenly home the New Jerusalem. The Spirit of the Lord seemed to have free course to deal with all hearts as many testified afterward. For those who missed this spiritual mountain peak and would like to view and hear the presentations, they are available on our web site Many thanks must go to the members of Bible Baptist Church for their respective ministries that made this Lecture Series a blessing. Above: Some of the Pastors, evangelists and missionaries that attended the Lecture Series. Right: Pastor Cas Reeves preaching on the New Jerusalem! BBC Update Vol. 2 Num BBC Second Anniversary and Christmas Banquet This month of December marks the second anniversary of BBC. On December 3, 2009, several families left an area church and organized BBC by obeying Mt. 28:19-20 and by signing her own Church Covenant. Subsequently, several other families joined BBC, some by baptism, now with the total membership of 36 individuals or 16 separate family units. Having a desire for biblical doctrine and practice, the original eight families determined to fellowship around the truth of Scripture, and have received the blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ spiritually, materially, and financially, and the recognition of other NT assemblies, locally, nationally, and internationally. It has been spiritually profitable to observe the Lord s dealings with all concerned relative to this church plant. Lives have been changed, mostly for the good to those who love the truth. Humility becomes the watchword as one recognizes the truth Solomon espoused, saying, For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another (Ps. 75:6-7). We at BBC can say with the wisest of men, The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it (Prov. 10:22). This year on Friday, December 9, 2011, BBC will host her second annual Christmas Banquet for BBC members, BBTS alumni, and friends (6-9 PM). There will be biblical challenge, Christian fellowship, and a $10.00 gift exchange with a nursery provided. Please RSVP to drtms_bbts@juno.com by December 1, December 1, 2011

2 Fall Lecture Series BBTS 2 Fall Lecture Series Over 100 people attended the Lecture Series held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell, CT Jeff Skorupski teaching on the Judgment Seat of Christ Pastor David Smith preaching on the Second Coming of Christ A delicious Lunch was served at Bible Baptist Church. Fellowship was sweet! Save the Date!! Pastor Steven Bates and Pastor Dan Herr 2012 Spring Lecture Series April 19, 2012 Crown Plaza, Cromwell, CT Who Are the Baptists? I. Dr. Grassi John the Baptist II. Dr. Strouse Theology and Polity of Baptists III. Pastor Reeves History of Ancient Baptists IV. Noel Meadowcroft History of 20th Century Baptists

3 Part 1 of a 3 Part Series Heretical Views on the Second Coming of Christ Dr. Thomas M. Strouse Nov. 17, 2011 BBTS Fall Lecture Series Introduction The early Christians had the biblical impetus to expect Christ s return shortly after His First Advent. For instance, they asked, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:6). As Christianity began to apostatize through the proto-catholic influence of Gnosticism, its eschatology became more credulous in date-fixing, contrary to Scripture s affirmation that even the Son would not know: But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father (Mk. 13:32). Here are some of the efforts of apostate Christianity (and post-christian culture) to date setting: 1. AD 1000 the thought of millennialism became prevalent within the RCC and focus was upon the outset of the second millennium. 2. AD 1666 with the bubonic plague and the great fire of London occurring, many in Western Europe thought this was the year of the Antichrist s appearing. 3. AD William Miller and his followers predicted that Christ would come sometime between 1843 and 1844, based on a faulty interpretation of Dan. 8: AD 1914, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941, 1975, 1994 Charles Russell and the Jehovah Witness cult predicted these various years. 5. AD 1984 many thought that big brother in Orson Well s book 1984 would bring the end of all things. 6. AD 1988 this year became a favorite among evangelical Christians who thought that the conclusion of the forty year generation (cf. Mt. 24:34) since the May 15, 1948 founding of Israel as a nation (cf. Isa. 66:7-8) would usher in the Tribulation preceded by the Rapture AD 2000 combining the Y2K phenomenon (all computer s internal clocks recalculated and causing 1 One should observe that 2000 divided by 3 gives , the Devil s number! international chaos) 2 with Hal Lindsay s conjecture that since Israel did not have her land until the 1967 War, the forty years generation prediction jumps to 2007, minus the seven year Tribulation, giving the Rapture in AD 2012 the Hollywood movie 2012 popularized this date based on internet pseudoscience visualizing various catastrophes hitting and destroying the earth. I. Pagan Views on the End of the World 3 A. Mayan Eschatology 1. Supposedly the Long Count calendar in classical Mayan literature (Dresden and Madrid codices) ends on December 21, 2012, ushering in cataclysmic events worldwide. 2. Mayan scholars correlated the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar to the modern western calendar and cal- Mayan Calendar culated that the Mayan 5125 year long cycle will culminate on Dec. 21, 2012, the winter solstice. 3. The Mayans kept three calendars, one celestial (solar), one ceremonial, and one cyclical (starting with the mythical creation date of 3114 BC). The 5125 cycle will end on , coinciding with cosmic alignments and bring destruction. 4 B. New Age Eschatology 1. The New Age movement, popularized in the 1960 s, is really the Old Gnosticism of the Garden, based on Satan s two lies of deification and deathlessness of man (Gen. 3:4-5). New Agers believe that mankind is evolving spiritually and will experience planetary consciousness Continued on Page 4 2 Gary North predicted The Millennium Bug will hit in We are facing a breakdown of civilization if the power grid goes down. Mark Hitchcock, 2012-The Bible and the End of the World (Eugene OR: Harvest House Publ., 2009), p The Maya Indians occupied eastern Mexico from about 1500 BC to AD 800. Their origin and demise are mysterious, as they were a fierce warrior group with vast buildings in their compounds. 4 Vide Hitchcock, pp , for a relatively easy to understand synopsis of the Mayan Apocalypse. 3 Heretical Views...

4 4 Heretical Views... Continued from Page 3 and global transformation. 2. This metaphysical sentiment is expressed in John Jenkins s musing, saying, The ancient Maya understood something about the nature of the cosmos and the spiritual evolution of humanity that has gone unrecognized in our own worldview. The understanding involves our alignment with the center of the Galaxy, our cosmic center and source, and identifies A.D as a time of tremendous transformation and opportunity for spiritual growth a transition from one World Age to another. 5 C. Pseudo-Science Eschatology 1. The Planet X Hypothesis some theorize that the so-called 10th planet (2003UB313) or Nibiru, which cosmic flyby will wreak havoc on the sun and the entire solar system, will occur sometime in The Magnetic Poles Reversal Patrick Geryl, whose view was popularized by the ABC news interview, predicts that the magnetic poles of the sun will reverse affecting the earth s poles, causing major earthquakes, volcanoes and tidal waves. He predicts in his book How to Survive 2012 the following cataclysmic scenarios: a. All satellites will be destroyed by cos- mic dust. b. Tremendous volcano activity will throw the earth into a nuclear winter. c. The USA and Europe will enter a new ice age. d. Sea transportation will cease because of mega tidal waves. e. Nuclear plants will be destroyed and release radioactive contamination. f. Electromagnetic storms will destroy all electrical communication and air 5 John M. Jenkins, Maya Cosmogenesis 2012 (Rochester, VT: Bear & Company, n.d.), XXXV. travel Global Warming culminating this political agenda of Global Warming will be the peak surge of the eleven year cycle of sunspots in 2012, causing a mega solar storm which will initiate tidal waves to peak, and will fry all electrical systems. D. Hollywood Eschatology 1. In a series of apocalyptic movies embracing all kinds of false theories about doomsday, Hollywood writers have impacted the Western world with pagan concepts about Armageddon in their doom boom agenda. 2. Some of the recent and popular movies include Armageddon, I am Legend, The Road, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Terminator Salvation, and of course II. Pseudo-Christian Views on the Second Coming of Christ A. Millerites 1. Named after the founder, William Miller ( ), the movement gained popularity with Miller s prediction that Christ would come back sometime between 1843 and Miller identified with his Baptist roots after a short stint with William Miller deism, and began to study Scripture. During the years of 1818 and 1823 he developed his eschatological position based solely on Daniel s prophecy, which states And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed (Dan. 8:14). 3. He interpreted the verse to teach that from the time of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (457 BC) as predicted in Ezra 1:2-3 ( Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? 6 Patrick Geryl, How to Survive 2012: Tactics and Survival Places for the Coming Pole Shift (Kempton, IL: Adventures Unlimited Press, 2007), p. 67. Continued on Page 5

5 Continued from Page 4 his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, [he is the God,] which is in Jerusalem ), Christ would come back and purge the earth with fire 2300 years later. 4. Simple math shows that plus 2300 years minus 457 BC equals AD He and his followers, convinced by his preaching and his tract entitled Evidence from Scripture and History of the Second Coming of Christ, about the Year 1844: Exhibited in a Course of Lectures, gave up their possessions and awaited for the Second Coming of Christ. Following the Great Disappointment, many Millerites went back to their former churches, although some devotees eventually ended up with Ellen G. White and the Seventh Day Adventists (1863). 5. Miller s interpretation was flawed for several reasons: a. The Hebrew of Dan. 8:14 reads literally evenings and mornings (rq,boê br<[,ä) rather than years. The duration would be 2300 days of evenings and mornings. b. The terminus a qua (beginning point) would be from the mid-point of the Tribulation ( transgression of desolation [cf. Dan. 9:27 and 12:11]) forward 2300 days, or going into the Millennium for 1040 days (2300 days 1260 days = 1040 days) before the Millennial Temple is cleansed and ready for Jehovah worship. B. Jehovah Witnesses 1. The Jehovah witnesses are a millenarian restorationist cult focused around the teachings of Charles Russell ( ) and Joseph Rutherford ( ). 2. These men taught that the world would enter into the last days in 1914, preparing the way for God to bring destruction upon the world system. All other religions and denominations are satanic, and when Satan attacks Jehovah Witnesses, the Great Tribulation will begin with the battle of Armageddon. To them, Jesus Christ reigns from heaven invisibly, and His parousia ( presence ) deals with duration and not an event. Their failed predictions are really not as such, but the result of progressive revelation concerning the finality. 3. Jeremiah 14:14 speaks about false prophets similar to the Jehovah Witnesses, saying, Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name (i.e. Jehovah Witnesses): I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. C. Harold Camping 1. The founder of the Family Radio Program (1961), Harold Egbert Camping (1921-present), has gained a large following with his predictions of the Second Coming of Christ. He announced that the church age was Harold Camping over and only his predictions were valid. 2. He had predicted that Christ would come in May 21, 1988, and then again in his publication 1994? he predicted the date of Sept. 6, Finally, he predicted that the Rapture would occur on May 21, 2011 and the end of the world on October 21, Since his failed prophesy of May 21, 2011, he has suffered a stroke, but the Family Radio Program continues (retaining the donations of duped devotees), holding that Christ came back spiritually on May 21, Being an engineer by training, Camping applied his interpretive math skills to the Bible and concluded that the Flood was 4990 BC. Furthermore, since the Lord said For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth (Gen. 7:4), and since a day with the Lord is a thousand years (cf. II Pet. 3:8), then 7000 years added to 4990 BC equals AD 2011, and the 17th day and the second month (cf. Gen. 7:11) equals May 21. a. The date of 4990 BC for the Flood is speculative at best and based on no internal biblical evidence. b. The effort to apply II Pet. 3:8 to bibli- cal chronology has as its fruit the history of failed prophecies. To Be Continued Next Issue 5 Heretical Views...

6 Devotional Corner 6 Quotes from the... Devotional Corner Wisdom by Pastor Cas Reeves And Solomon s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; and his fame was in all nations round about 1 Kings 4: We are told that Solomon was the wisest man in the world. How did he become so wise? He asked the Lord for the wisdom, and he asked in a wholehearted way and out of a pure heart. He did not ask for the purpose of self-promotion, but rather for wisdom to lead God s great people, Israel. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee (1 Kings 3:7-12). Considering Solomon as our example: Can we have this wisdom today? We are exhorted, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to Pastor Cas Reeves all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5). Like Solomon we must ask for wisdom. This wisdom is described as, wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy (James 3:17). Again, like Solomon we must ask for the right wisdom. There are three important necessities with heaven-found wisdom. These necessities must be present in order to have Godly wisdom. First, We need to have a fear of God, which is the same as being saved. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). Secondly, we need to have the Word of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6). And thirdly, we need the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a teacher; Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: (John 16:13). King Solomon possessed all three of these necessities. And just as God was pleased with Solomon; so, God is pleased with us, when our desires for wisdom are the same as was Solomon s desire. - CAR Quotes From the Past: Noah Webster American educator, lexicographer, and political writer. It is the sincere desire of the writer that our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible, particularly the New Testament or the Christian religion. Noah Webster

7 Occasions for OT Prayers Dr. Thomas Strouse Prayer Various situations in the lives of the OT saints occasioned them to pray. Here are some of them: 1. Because of early apostasy: And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD (Gen. 4:26). Prayer 2. Because of oppression: And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage (Ex. 2:23). 3. Because of the need for protection: And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee (Num. 10:35). 4. Because of denied privilege: I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon (Dt. 3:25). 5. Because of ambiguous identity: And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? (Josh. 5:13). 6. Because of incredible faith: Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon (Josh. 10:12). 7 Occastions for OT Prayer 7. Because of completed ministry: And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life (Judg. 16:30). 8. Because of sin: And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee (I Sam. 12:10). 9. Because of need for guidance: And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all (I Sam. 30:8). 10. Because of the death of a son: And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou o brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? (I Ki. 17:20). Second Annual Ladies Fellowship March 10, 2012 More Information Coming Soon!!

8 The Book Corner Book Corner The Book Corner These Books may be purchased through Bible Baptist Church: 40 Country Squire Rd. Cromwell, CT Psalms 1-41 Psalm 119 Spiritual Gifts $8.00 Daniel Jonah $ Bible Study Geocentricity $10.00 En Epheso The Theology of Acts I Will Build My Church $15.00 A Primer of Baptist History The Lord God Hath Spoken $15.00 Manchester Bible Study Continue to pray for the Manchester Bible Study as Mark Schabert teaches the Gospel of John to several families who live in the area. This is an effort to practice the Great Commission in Manchester, CT, evangelizing and edifying folks who come to the study. The Bible study is every Friday night at 7 PM. Please contact the pastor for directions. New Address! Dr. Aaron & Molly Strouse 1808 Heisser Lane Fuquay-Varina, NC If you have any news for the next issue of the BBC Update, please send to the Editor, Cas Reeves, at either bbts@stny.rr.com hbc5923@stny.rr.com Bible Baptist Theological Seminary A ministry of Bible Baptist Church 40 Country Squire Road Cromwell, CT